April, 2008

	Health Impacts The Municipal Powers report Municipal By-Laws and Best Practices has been prepared by Sierra Legal to provide basic legal information about municipal practices and by-laws to protect human health and the environment. The report includes a selection of case studies to showcase some of the great work being undertaken in communities. In 2007 a new system to communicate air quality information, the AQHI, was piloted in Toronto. The AQHI differs from the current AQI in that it is a health-based index. Here is a presentation from Toronto Public Health on the Air Quality Health Index: Toronto Pilot Winter is ending, and summer will soon be here! This report A Scan of Municipal Heat/Health Watch Warning Systems and Hot Weather Response Plans gives Scan Results, and samples of Heat/Health Watch Warning System and Hot Weather Response Plans	Events, Workshops, and Conferences The Ontario Ministry of the Environment is providing financial support for two Canada-wide ARC webinars. Click here for dates. Doors Open Ottawa 2008 June 7-8, 2008 Doors Open Ottawa is going green in 2008! This year's event will showcase the growing number of new and retrofit green, sustainable buildings in Ottawa. Take a look inside buildings throughout the city that have made a conscious choice to be environmentally efficient. Visit the Doors Open Ottawa website. Don’t forget to join the Smog Alert Network and start receiving Smog Alerts. Click here to join.
	Natural Resources In urban areas in Canada, buildings are responsible for 38 % of energy use and 30% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Pursuing energy-efficient building design for municipal buildings is an effective way to combat climate change and substantially reduce operating costs in times of rising energy prices. Find more information in a report prepared for GTA Clean Air Council on Enhancing Energy Efficiency in New Construction - March 2005
	Climate Change and Global Warming Tired of smog? Looking to make a difference? Some small changes can go a long way. Find out how by reading about the 20/20 Campaign. Earth Hour 2008 made a difference. Millions of people around the world continuing the commitments we have made–changing our lives and encouraging others to do the same–will change the world. Visit worldwildlife.org/climate to find out what you can do throughout the year to fight climate change, and check back to earthhour.org soon for details on Earth Hour 2009. Congratulations to the Municipalities of: Collingwood, Penetanguishene, Midland, Bradford-West Gwillimbury, Huntsville, Muskoka Lakes, New Tecumseth, Parry Sound, Wasaga Beach, the cities of Barrie and Orillia and the County of Simcoe for participating in Earth Hour!
	Transportation A report prepared for Natural Resources Canada and the GTA Clean Air Council called Cracking Down on Idling: A Primer for Canadian Municipalities on Developing and Enforcing Control By-laws - September 2005. The report contains samples of existing bylaws, a model idling bylaw and effective enforcement.
	Energy Conservation The Association of Municipalities of Ontario subsidiary, Local Authority Services (LAS), has released a load profile of the entire municipal sector and is also rolling out a number of exciting energy conservation projects under its Energy Services Division. Municipalities are encouraged to visit the LAS website to learn more about this study as well as a free audit service, plus a range of other programs targeting CDM, retrofit and other energy management opportunities across the sector. www.amo.on.ca/Content/las/AboutUs/EnergyServices/default.htm A report is available through the Pembina Institute which outlines a Quick Start energy efficiency strategy for Ontario. A Quick Start Energy Efficiency Strategy for Ontario

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